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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 9 -- March 26, 1944, Sunday PM Vacqueriette, France NOBALL (XI/A/83)
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416th Bombardment Group (L) Mission # 9 -- March 26, 1944, Sunday PM Vacqueriette, France NOBALL (XI/A/83)
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Place of Take-Off : AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England A/C Dispatched : 36 Total -- 36 A-20's Target Operational Number: Z 3075 Illustration : A/83/1 Illustration Ref : 031026 Summary of Results : Good Primary Target Latitude/Longitude: 50.32056,2.07222 (50° 19' 14" N, 2° 4' 20" E) (Latitude/Longitude based on V1 Sites, VACQUERIETTE) (See Latitude/Longitude Coordinates and Target Identifiers for more information. Note: This coordinate represents the Primary Target Location, the Location actually attacked may differ) |
Mission Loading Lists Transcription
Mission # 9 -- March 26, 1944, Sunday PM
Vacqueriette, France -- NOBALL (XI/A/83)
| 1 671st 43-9914 5C-X A-20J Lt Col Ford, T.R. Lt Royalty, P.G. Lt Arrington, H.T. S/Sgt Thompson, J.B. S/Sgt Hatch, H.F. |
2 671st 43-9714 5C-N A-20G Lt Behlmer, R.L. T/Sgt Kelly, W.J. S/Sgt Ferguson, W.G. |
3 671st 43-9711 5C-M A-20G Lt McDonald, A.A. S/Sgt Shields, J.J. S/Sgt Epps, E.T. |
| 4 669th 43-9450 2A-S A-20J Maj Campbell, M.W. Lt Palin, W.H. S/Sgt Nielsen, J.O. S/Sgt Bender, G.J. |
5 669th 43-9941 2A-U A-20G Lt Boukamp, T. S/Sgt Colosimo, R.J. S/Sgt Wing, J.S. |
6 669th 43-9717 2A-N A-20G Lt Street, M.S. S/Sgt Prindle, C.A. S/Sgt Huber, A.J. |
| 1 669th 43-9181 2A-A A-20G Lt Sommers, H.L. S/Sgt Alden, S.F. S/Sgt Ballinger, R.L. |
2 669th 43-9211 2A-C A-20G Maj Roney, K.T. S/Sgt Worden, H.C. Lt Sutliff, G.F. [Sutliff (4th CCU)] |
3 669th 43-9202 2A-B A-20G Lt Peck, W.A. S/Sgt Bergeron, A.E. S/Sgt Kelton, H.E. |
| 4 669th 43-9189 2A-P A-20G Lt Morton, R.J. S/Sgt Norton, C.Q. S/Sgt Citty, F.M. |
5 669th 43-9226 2A-E A-20G Lt Connor, J.S. S/Sgt Rogers, J.L., Jr. S/Sgt Radlich, N. |
6 669th 43-9390 2A-G A-20G Capt Huff, M.J. S/Sgt Webb, C.L. S/Sgt Coffey, G.L. |
| 1 671st 43-9707 5C-H A-20G Capt Dunn, L.F. T/Sgt Tanner, J.R.L. S/Sgt Russell, W.C. |
2 671st 43-9699 5C-I A-20G Lt Merchant, W.A. S/Sgt Harp, C.J. S/Sgt Brown, K.P. |
3 671st 43-9219 5C-D A-20G Lt Cole, H.P. S/Sgt Sherry, V.N. S/Sgt Linneman, R.H. |
| 4 671st 43-9203 5C-A A-20G Lt DeMand, F.W. S/Sgt Troyer, R.J. S/Sgt Middleton, C.W. [Troyer substituted for S/Sgt H.T. Beet] |
5 671st 43-9225 5C-G A-20G Lt Smith, R.H. S/Sgt Corrin, E.W. S/Sgt Brower, J.S. |
6 671st 43-9493 5C-V A-20G Lt Adams, J.D. S/Sgt Wellin, H.E. Sgt Kutzer, L.G. |
| 1 670th 43-9439 F6-J A-20J Maj Meng, W.J. Lt Powell, V.H. S/Sgt Stobert, R.F. Sgt Glynn, F.P. |
2 670th 43-9227 F6-F A-20G Lt Rooney, R.J. S/Sgt McCleary, H.M. Sgt DiNapoli, S.F. |
3 670th 43-9680 F6-R A-20G Lt Greene, W.J. S/Sgt Evans, O.D. Sgt Colbert, W.F. |
| 4 670th 43-9455 F6-T A-20J Lt Jackson, C.R. Lt Conte, R.F., Sr. Sgt White, H.E. S/Sgt Bonamo, A.J. |
5 670th 43-9689 F6-I A-20G Lt Crispino, J.C. S/Sgt Walsh, T.I., Jr. S/Sgt Conopask, R.E. |
6 670th 43-9200 F6-A A-20G Lt Johnson, E.L. S/Sgt Donahue, W.J. Sgt Brayn, M.R. |
| 1 668th 43-9444 5H-J A-20J Maj Price, R.F. Lt Hand, A.R. S/Sgt Hume, J.N. S/Sgt Brown, F.E. |
2 668th 43-9745 5H-I A-20G Lt Poindexter, R.D. Sgt Molver, V.E. S/Sgt Yost, C.H., Jr. |
3 668th 43-9216 5H-E A-20G Lt Ritchie, S.B., Jr. S/Sgt Newkirk, A.W., Jr. S/Sgt Anderson, E.A. |
| 4 668th 43-9223 5H-F A-20G Lt Ebenstein, G.N. Pvt Newell, S.P. S/Sgt Perkins, H., Jr. |
5 668th 43-9182 5H-B A-20G Lt Lesher, R.D. S/Sgt Antanaitis, A.J. S/Sgt Hedrick, H.R. |
6 668th 43-9195 5H-D A-20G Lt Downing, W.E. S/Sgt Love, C.F. S/Sgt Adair, F.L. |
| 1 668th 43-9640 5H-Z A-20J Capt Battersby, W. Lt Maltby, A.H. S/Sgt Shaw, L.R. S/Sgt Gray, C.M. |
2 668th 43-9194 5H-C A-20G Lt Kreh, E.B. S/Sgt Damico, E.A. S/Sgt Dickenson, E.S. |
3 668th 43-9360 5H-S A-20G Lt Miracle, R.V. S/Sgt Sieg, B.C. S/Sgt Burkhalter, J.C. |
| 4 668th 43-9684 5H-K A-20G Lt Osborne, A.E., Jr. S/Sgt Kelly, E.E. S/Sgt Coe, W.H. |
5 668th 43-9379 5H-G A-20G Lt Bradford, B.H. S/Sgt MacDonald, R.W. S/Sgt Orr, J.R. |
6 668th 43-9701 5H-H A-20G Maj Farmer, W.W. Sgt Ochaba, J.A. Capt McClellan, A. |
Group and Unit Histories
Mission # 9 -- March 26, 1944, Sunday PM
Vacqueriette, France -- NOBALL (XI/A/83)
"416th Bombardment Group (L) - Group History 1944"
Transcribed from USAF Archives
On the 26th, Colonel Ford led a formation of thirty-six planes on the most successful mission of the month. His bombardier and navigator were Lt. Peter G. Royalty and Lt. Henry T. Arrington. Major Campbell was Deputy Leader. The target was a Noball near the town of Vacqueriette. The results of the bombing can be seen from the accompanying photograph. All planes returned safely with no damage. This was the last mission of the month. Bad weather kept the planes non-operational except those for local flying. A mission was scheduled for the last day of the month, but snow fell and covered the ground causing the mission to be scrubbed.
After the first month of combat operations, our planes had flown 229 sorties and had dropped 287 tons of bombs. There were no losses of planes or men over enemy territory. Eight men had received the Purple Heart; Colonel Mace and Captain Richard B. Prentiss had received the Air Medal.
"Attack Bombers, We Need You! A History of the 416th Bomb Group"
Ralph Conte
Page 46
Mission #9 - 26 March - Vacqueriette NoBall. Lt. Col. T. R. Ford with Lts. Royalty and Arrington as a BN team led the first box. Major Campbell with Lt. Palin flew deputy. Major Meng and Lt. Powell, BN - Captain Jackson and Lt. Conte BN led flights. The bombing proceeded with no problem, since no flak or fighters threatened the group. Aerial photos showed smoke and fire coming up from the target area.
This was the last mission of the month, the group having completed only nine since the first one on the 3rd of March. A combination of inclement weather, coupled with the "learning" experience of bombardier-navigators and pilots had to endure, plus malfunctioning bombing equipment, all contributed to the low number of successful trips over enemy territory.
The Commanding General of the IX Bomber Command sent congratulations to the 416th for "having arrived" following this first month of operation. They also said, "successful."
Group Commanding Officer, Colonel Harold L. Mace, gathered the crews together for a "pep" talk, pointing out that all mechanics, crew chiefs, armament, and ordnance personnel should maintain a high degree of readiness and proficiency inorder for the group to succeed and be prepared for the eventual invasion and a quick trip home.
The first month of operation saw 229 planes on sorties, having dropped 287 tons of bombs in combat. No planes or personnel were lost over enemy territory. Eight men were awarded Purple Heart Medals for wounds received in action.
On March 17, IX Bomber Command conducted an inspection of the group base and came away with a gratifying report on what they saw.
The Group strength was reported as:
668th Squadron 35 Officers 264 Enlisted Men
669th Squadron 37 Officers 266 Enlisted Men
670th Squadron 41 Officers 267 Enlisted Men
671st Squadron 38 Officers 264 Enlisted Men
Hdqs. 416th Group 36 Officers 59 Enlisted Men
Totals 187 Officers 1120 Enlisted Men
"669th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Lt. Col. Ford led the first box and Major Campbell was deputy leader on the 26th. The target, a Noball or rocket installation at Vasqueritte, France was bombed with excellent concentration. This was the last mission for the month of March. During the month we had attacked two types of target - Airfields and Noball targets, the Noballs being Number one on the priority list.
"670th Bombardment Squadron (L) History"
Transcription from USAF Archives
Excellent results were obtained when six of our crews participated
in the March 26th attack on the Vacqueriette Noball site.
So, as the bombardiers and pilots began to hit their targets with
increasing success, we knew we had what it takes. During the month we
completed 51 sorties over enemy occupied Europe, with the loss of but
one plane and no loss of personnel.
"671st Bomb Squadron (L) Unit History"
Gordon Russell and Jim Kerns
March 26th, 1944
The 416th Bomb Group (L) was badly in need of a really successful combat mission. Previous efforts had been beset by practically every possible difficulty; faulty navigation, faulty armament and equipment, bad weather, and sad to relate, personnel error in bombing and use of cameras.
Today was a different story. Success at last crowned our efforts. TakeĦoff was at 1300; the weather was good. In the lead ship piloted by Lt. Col. T.R. Ford were the 671st own Lt. H.T. Arrington, as navigator, and Lt. P.G. Royalty Bombardier. Weather over France was clear, the target, a " no-ball" *, rather difficult to pick out, designated as Vacqueriette. In addition to the lead Bombardier Navigators, one flight in the lead box was made up entirely of 671st personnel.
No flak or enemy fighters were encountered on the trip. The first box, it was revealed by pictures, had a perfect concentration of bombs on the target area. The second box was not quite as accurate, two flights just falling short of the target. The return was uneventful.
The following day the Group received congratulations from the Commanding General, IX Bomber Command, and the 416th was accepted as "having arrived" as a combat organization.